MARTIN Roberts believes he is returning to the Ospreys as a more rounded player.

And he hopes that three years' experience in the Aviva Premiership can help him challenge Wales international Rhys Webb and Tom Habberfield for the No. 9 jersey at the Liberty.

Having left the Ospreys in 2008, Roberts is back where it all started following spells with the Scarlets, Northampton Saints and Bath.

The 28-year-old won the last of his three Wales caps five years ago and is relishing the chance to make his mark in regional rugby again.

"I am thoroughly enjoying being back here; there is a group of young eager boys who are putting in some hard graft and building nicely for the new season," he said.

"Some of the management now are the boys I played with when I first came through the academy, but there are a few familiar faces around the place, people like Duncan (Jones) — who is one of the last of the old guard — Jonathan Spratt, Cai (Griffiths), Tom Smith, lads I played with for years.

"I enjoyed my time in the Premiership, it was different, more forward-orientated, but I had plenty of rugby — 60 games in two years with Saints — and I feel I have developed and learnt as a player and as a person as well."

As for competition with a fit-again Webb — who ousted British Lion Mike Phillips from Wales's Six Nations side last season — and Habberfield, Roberts added: "Both are very good players. Rhys had an outstanding season last year which warranted his Welsh selection and when he returned from injury Tom also played really well.

"You can already see boys pushing in training because at the end of the day there are only going to be two slots in the match-day squad and one of us is going to miss out.

"But that is good for the squad, competition gets the best out of players and hopefully we can help each other and push each other on."

(07:00) The A4118 in Parkmill is partially blocked both ways this morning, near the Sandy Lane junction, due to a fallen tree.

PREMIER League side Neath were sent tumbling out of the Thomas Carroll South Wales Cricket Association T20 Cup at the last 16 stage, losing by 48 runs to Briton Ferry Steel.

Nicky Maggs hit 58 and Steve Devonald 38 in Steel's 142-8, then Darryl Phillips delivered a superb spell of 4-18 off four overs as Neath collapsed to 94 all out.

Alex Griffiths smashed 11 sixes and five fours in a superb knock of 103 as Mumbles beat Pontyberem by 76 runs.

Kieran Evans had a fine game in defeat for Pontyberem, taking 4-13 in his four overs and then top-scoring with 39 in his side's 130 all out.

There were two centurions in the clash between Neath thirds and Tata Steel with Owen Davies hitting 101 not out and Rohan Herbert carrying his bat for 105 as Tata racked up 228-0 from their 20 overs. Neath were all out for 125.

A captain's knock of 51 from Garry Arrowsmith was the highlight of Pontarddulais's 43-run win over Gowerton. William Hughes hit 33 not out in reply, but two wickets apiece for Gafyn Donald and William Jones ensured comfortable progress for Bont.

Also through to the last eight are Skewen, who beat Briton Ferry Town by ten wickets; Clydach, who hammered Dafen by 81 runs and Maesteg, who won the Llynfi Valley derby, beating neighbours Celtic by 25 runs.

Swansea are also in the quarter-finals after Kidwelly conceded their match.

THE top-of-the-table clash between Tata Steel and Dafen proved to be a shortlived one-sided affair in the Thomas Carroll South Wales Cricket Association second XI championship.

And it was the Margam-based Tata side who dominated, bowling out the defending champions for just 56 and easing home for the loss of three wickets.

Tata have opened up a 43-point cushion at the top, while Ynystawe are now second following their three-run derby victory over Clydach.

Skewen beat Ammanford by 37 runs in a low-scoring match. Richard Powell (76) and Gareth McNeil (34) provided the backbone of Skewen's 155 all out against the bowling of Matthew Warnes (4-19) and Andrew Jefferies (3-36).

But Ammanford also found it tough going with the bat and despite 51 from skipper Nathan Jones were bowled out for 118 with Geraint Fisher (4-38), Ian Kriescher (3-28) and Ashley Churchill (2-20) doing the damage.

A knock off 44 from skipper Kevin Jones proved crucial in Carmarthen Wanderers' 29-run win over Gowerton at Victoria Road.

Jones helped the Wanderers up to a modest 134 all out, but Gowerton's batsmen were soon in trouble themselves and although William Gambold (28) provided some resistance, the home side slumped to 104 all out against the attack of Joseph Jones (4-28), Simon Rogers (2-27), Steffan Jones (2-17) and Alex Brown (2-7).

Swansea Civil Service opener Nick Davies delivered the innings of the day in his side's ten-wicket win over Porthcawl.

Davies hit 11 fours and six sixes in his superb knock of 118 not out as Service chased down a target of 166 in rapid time. Opening partner Simon Jenkins (38no) provided the foil at the other end.

Service remain in second, 33 points behind Llangennech, who enjoyed a 108-run win over Gorseinon.

Ieuan Petty (54) and Richard Clement (44) guided Llan to 242-9 before spinner Steve Lloyd took five wickets to seal the victory for Llan.

Briton Ferry Steel remain third after a resounding ten-wicket success over Bronwydd. Tim Stephens took 5-28 to help dismiss the Carmarthenshire side for 139 then Michael Fowler (40no) and James Griffiths (88no) stormed to the win in just 20.5 overs.

Elsewhere in the second division, Llandysul beat Llanelli by six wickets, while Cowbridge made short work of Maesteg, winning by nine wickets.

Morriston have cut Drefach's lead at the top of division three to just one point following their 75-run win over Pwll and the Gwendraeth Valley side's 69-run loss to Margam.

Nick Carruthers top-scored with 23 not out in Margam's total of 128-6 off 40 overs. But the leaders found themselves in all sorts of bother at 16-4 and were eventually skittled out for just 59 with Sean Curran (6-23) Margam's prime weapon.

Pontardawe's tail hung on to deny Cimla victory in the Swansea Valley.

Cimla batted first and made 158-6 in their 40 overs, opener Mike Corish impressing with 48, well supported by Tom Davies (33no) and Mike Price (25no). Steve Gardiner bowled a superb 10-over spell that yielded 4-12.

In reply Ponty lost two early wickets before a stand of 66 between acting skipper Jonathan Howells (42) and Gardiner (31) gained the home side a foothold in the match. But once they departed — both were run out — the later batsmen were left clinging on for a draw at 115-8 at the death. Jag Nagaraj (2-9 off ten) proved difficult to get away, as did Mark Evans (1-13 off ten). John Pryce chipped in with 2-19 off five.

Michael Powney took 4-30 and Adam Thorn 3-14 as Baglan defended a total of 103 to beat Pontyberem by 24 runs, while Merthyr won by six wickets at Briton Ferry Town, despite the efforts of Paul Hitchcott, who scored 35 and took 3-22.

In division four, an unbeaten 66 from Clive Harding was the highlight of Felinfoel's four-wicket win over Neath fourths, Dyffryn lost by 37 runs to GWR Bridgend, while Llandeilo drew with Llantwit Major.

A CONMAN who targeted elderly people into handing over cash for building work he never completed has been jailed.

Michael Page told victims he would complete work on their homes and took money of up to £100 up front, but never did it.

Page's solicitor, Alex Scott, told the judge sentencing his client that he had said he knew what he had done was "disgraceful".

Page was caught after his picture was published in the Evening Post.

He admitted two offences of fraud — where he targeted 83 and 70-year-old victims in Dunvant and Loughor — and asked for another three offences which he committed in Gorseinon, to be taken into consideration by Judge Paul Thomas during sentencing.

Page, aged 22, first targeted an 83-year-old woman in May, telling her for £80 he could replace roof tiles.

She gave him the money up front but he never did the work, prosecutor Tom Scapens said.

He told his next victim, a 70-year-old woman, that he could do work which could later end up costing her £4,000 for just £100.

The day after taking her money he returned and told her he had completed it. She was suspicious and he told her a neighbour had seen him do the non-existent repairs.

One victim told police he felt stupid he had been taken in by Page.

Judge Thomas jailed him for 12 months. He said: "Elderly people living alone are easy pickings for conmen like you because at that age people can lose confidence. A few short years ago many of them would have told you where to go but it's because you understand their vulnerability that people like you go to their homes and take money from them. The courts will do everything they can to stop that.

"Unlike you, they have spent their lives working hard to obtain that money. It's not just the cash, it's the feeling of vulnerability and the embarrassment they have felt from the swindles of someone like you."

Page had been released from custody earlier just weeks before for almost identical offences.

"You breached your curfew, you knew you were about to be recalled and therefore you took the opportunity to commit these offences."

Ruth Mosalski / ruth.mosalski@swwmedia.co.uk /  @ruthmosalski

Crime

A YEAR ago, most of the world was anxiously awaiting news of the birth of a future monarch.

But while many of us watched the 24-hour news channels with bated breath, Isobel Hartnoll, from Gorseinon, who had just undergone a caesarean section and was celebrating the arrival of her own little prince, Jack.

Now, a year later, Mrs Hartnoll will be joining in celebrations today to not only mark her own son's first birthday but also that of Prince George.

"He's my first," said Mrs Hartnoll, who had maternity leave of eight months from her job as a teacher at Oakleigh House School in the Uplands.

"He's fab at the moment. But he's crawling, not walking like George."

Throngs of TV, radio and newspaper crews joined members of the public crowding outside St Mary's Hospital in London on July 22 last year, awaiting the first glimpse of Prince George, the third in line to the throne.

But it wasn't quite that way at Singleton Hospital, with 23-year-old Mrs Hartnoll — though there was a click of the camera and a front page picture.

"I'd just had a c-section and the Evening Post came to take my photo," she said.

"I was on the front page the next day."

Talking about her first year as a mum and her bonny baby Jack, she said: "His development is fantastic.

"He's a big boy and very much a busy body.

"He's a happy little baby.

"He started crawling about a month ago, so that was a big step for him.

"When they start smiling at around six weeks too, that's a big thing and so nice to see."

She returned to work after eight months, but still has to deal with some sleepless nights.

Husband Anthony isn't a fan of those times where a long sleep isn't an option.

"He's been good too, but he doesn't like the sleepless nights either," added Mrs Hartnoll.

While Prince George has two extravagant parties — a private Peter Rabbit-style one at grandmother Carole Middleton's home in Berkshire, plus a celebration at the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's Kensington Palace apartment, Jack's birthday celebrations will be a bit more down to earth —  though still with a bit of a Royal flavour.

"We're going up to the Royal Welsh, because I'm from a farming family," added Mrs Hartnoll.

"So we're going to see all his uncles and spend the whole week up there celebrating." 

Rachel Moses-Lloyd / rachel.moses@swwmedia.co.uk / @racheljanemoses

AN anxious Swansea mum has said her autistic son would be heartbroken if his day centre closed.

Karen Struel-White attended a meeting at the West Cross centre in which Swansea Council officers explained how the authority planned to cut £800,000 from its day service budget over the next three to four years.

The council has stressed that no decisions have been made, and that families will be involved as much as possible. But it has said it cannot deliver an £800,000 saving "without major change".

Businesswoman Mrs Struel-White said last Friday's meeting was distressing for parents. She said she feared her son, Sam, could be moved to other areas of care.

Sam, 22, attends the Fairwood Road centre on Monday to Friday, between 8.30am and 3.30pm.

"He loves it there," said Mrs Struel-White. "He can't cope with change. It would break his heart not to be there."

Mrs Struel-White said she felt people with disabilities and special needs should be shielded from cuts. "They are not there out of choice," she said. "They should be protected."

The council said not all changes will happen at once, and some services may not change at all.

But families are being warned that they may have to use a different day centre than now, receive fewer days of care, use "community-based" rather than traditional day services, and be charged up to £55 for the service their loved ones receive.

Changes will start from this autumn, with day services at West Cross Glandwr, The Beeches and Abergelli under the spotlight first.

Mrs Struel-White, of Murton, said many users would struggle to fork out £55 per week. "Parents are worried," she added.

Councillor Mark Child, cabinet member for wellbeing, said it was looking at making better use of voluntary services and promoting direct payments so users can go out and buy the services they want.

"Younger service users and their carers are telling us that they would like support which is more individual and responsive to personal development," said Mr Child. "This is something we want to pay more attention to when looking at future provision."

Richard Youle / richard.youle@swwmedia.co.uk / @YoulePost

A MAN injured his partner after trying to wrestle the engagement ring off her finger.

Philip Williams, aged 41, had argued with his partner after the pair had been drinking together at a barbecue.

During that argument he tried to grab her engagement ring, leaving her with injuries to her finger.

She called police but after giving details to police made a statement to withdraw her allegation saying she didn't want to take it any further.

But Williams had made admissions in his interview with police and was charged.

He then admitted assault in front of city magistrates.

Steve Burnell, for Williams, said the couple had been together for eight years and engaged for four.

He has previous convictions but Mr Burnell said he had "turned his life around" in recent years.

He said that on July 11, had been at their home in Pantiago Road in Pontarddulais.

"There had been a barbecue and both parties had consumed some alcohol and started to argue over a minor thing but it has escalated. Both parties are arguing," he said.

He said he had asked for the engagement ring back but she had refused. She had then fallen to the floor and while trying to pull it off, he had caused her injuries.

He apologised and was remorseful to police, the court was told.

The pair are planning to reconcile.

He was fined £160.

A POSTMAN who came to a Swansea casino drank four pints of lager and crashed his car before leaving the scene.

Former soldier Darren Pugh, aged 27, travelled from his home at King Edward Road in Ammanford and parked in Parc Tawe so he could go to play poker.

At 11.40pm on July 6 he was seen getting into his vehicle and then waiting at the traffic lights.

Witnesses saw him pull off and almost immediately crash into railings, causing damage to his Fiat Punto but he left the scene.

Police were called and witnesses then saw Pugh walking to Parc Morfa. He was then arrested and admitted driving with 65 micrograms of alcohol in 100 milliltres of breath, without due care and attention, failing to stop and failing to report an accident. He has a previous conviction for drink driving.

Grayson Tanner, for Pugh said he could now lose his job.

He was banned for 36 months and given a community order including a 28-day curfew.

Ruth Mosalski / ruth.mosalski@swwmedia.co.uk /  @ruthmosalski

The Communities, Equality and Local Government Committee found that libraries contribute to many areas of community life, including health and wellbeing, education, and tackling poverty and social exclusion.

They can also bridge the 'digital divide' by providing free internet access, something the Committee believes should continue.

Noting an overall growth in visitor numbers to Welsh libraries, the Committee is calling on the Welsh Government and local authorities to do more to promote the wide range of services on offer.

Further recommendations surrounding potential revenue raising opportunities outside of essential services, and co-location, where a number of local authorities' facilities and services are contained on one site, are also included in the Committee's report.

"With continuing cuts in public spending, the Committee recognises that many local authorities are looking at either closing facilities, or offering reduced services with volunteer support to save money," said Christine Chapman AM, Chair of the Communities, Equality and Local Government Committee.

"We believe libraries play a crucial role in many communities, contributing to areas including health and wellbeing, education, tackling poverty and social exclusion.

"There are many excellent examples in Wales of how local authorities are using co-location to improve the services they offer, and we believe these are examples to be learned from.

"We also want to see the Welsh Government and local authorities do more to promote these services, as well as examine opportunities to raise revenue to protect these vital facilities."

Report: Public Libraries in Wales

More information about the inquiry into public libraries in Wales can be found here.

Gwent Police are appealing for information after a prisoner from HMP Prescoed made off from a van he was travelling in.

27-year-old Luke Price was being transported back to the prison when the van stopped at Sawbrook junction in Cardiff city centre. 

He and another prison - 24-year-old James Horwood - got out of the vehicle and made off.

Horwood has since handed himself in but Price has been missing since approximately 6.30pm last night - Tuesday July 22.

Price was convicted of burglary at Cardiff Crown Court in May 2013. He is described as being white, 5 feet 11 inches tall and of medium build. He has fair hair and blue eyes. He is not a registered sex offender.

It is believed there may be a potential risk due to the fact that the individual is no longer in the custody of the prison service

Gwent Police and HMP Prescoed are now co-operating to find the prisoner. 

Members of the public are advised not to approach Price, but to call police on 101, or in an emergency 999, quoting log number 447 22/07/14.

The house from TV's Gavin and Stacey has been put up for sale - and fans are queueing up to grab it for a bargain £125,000.

The terraced property was Stacey's home in the much-loved comedy series set in the seaside resort of Barry, South Wales.

Estate agents expect so much interest from fans they will take sealed bids to find the lucky new owner.

The house at 47, Trinity Street, Barry, is where Stacey's mum Gwen served up her famous omelettes. Randy pensioner Doris lived next door and Stacey's uncle Bryn lived opposite.

More than 13,000 fans of the show have turned up at the house and owner Glenda Kenyon has happily shown them around.

But Glenda, 61, has lived at the two-bedroomed terraced house for 30 years and says its time to move on.

Glenda said: "I have loved living here and being part of the Gavin and Stacey family.

"When they asked to use my house for filming I agreed but I had no idea it would become such a popular TV show.

"I've had 13,000 people come here and I've never turned anyone away.

"Most of them have signed the visitors books - people from all over the word. Australia. America, the lot."

The house, which has sea views, is one of the stopping points on the Gavin & Stacey tour which takes fans around locations used in the show.

Fans are ferried there by Dave's coaches in the actual bus from the award-winning comedy.

Glenda Kenyon said: "I will be miss both the street and Barry but having lived here for over 30 years I feel it's time for a change so I am moving to Swansea.

"I am sure the new owners will be as welcoming as I've been - let's face it whoever buys my house is going to be a Gavin and Stacey fan."

An open day will be held for potential buyers to view the house.

Estate agent Alex Easton of Burnett Davies & Easton said: "It's a great chance for someone to snap up a small piece of television history.

"It also offers a potential business opportunity for someone wanting to continue the frequent tours but unlike Glenda, charge visitors."

SWANSEA is leading the way in Wales in becoming a city of gardeners.

And the increasing success of the green-fingered brigade has not gone unnoticed in the corridors of power. So impressed is the Welsh Government by Swansea Council's work to encourage residents to get their hands dirty on the land that it is keen to spread the word so other areas can follow suit too.

The authority's commitment to giving more opportunities for people to grow fruit and vegetables has been held up as a good example by the Welsh Government.

It now wants to see better access to allotments and community gardens across Wales. The Welsh Government has launched a public consultation exercise so everyone can have their say about the best way to give people a chance to enjoy growing produce and gardening.

In Swansea the council has set aside a £50,000 pot of funding specifically for groups and schools to kick start and support small growing projects within their community.

The Grow Local Fund has already supported school polytunnels and community gardens to encourage healthy eating to take root.

Minister for natural resources, culture and sport John Griffiths said: "Swansea Council is actively working to encourage community-based growing projects using grant funding under the Grow Local Swansea scheme.

"Initiatives such as Vetch Veg in Swansea clearly demonstrate that there are many social benefits to sharing a growing space.

"The project has brought the community together and is an example of how far community growing has moved from the historical model of a traditional allotment."

Councillor Sybil Crouch hopes that where Swansea leads, others will follow.

The cabinet member for sustainability said: "We know the many benefits that come from people having the opportunity to grow their own food.

"These include healthy eating, education and exercise, whilst one of the other key benefits is the opportunity for residents to get together to socialise in an 'open-air community centre'.

"I am delighted the Welsh Government has recognised the work we have been doing here and I hope there is a great response to the Wales-wide consultation on this issue."

The Welsh Government's liking for the Vetch Veg project on the site of the old home of Swansea City in Sandfields was illustrated earlier this month.

Minister for communities and tackling poverty Jeff Cuthbert visited it to mark the launch of the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Bill.

WITH the sun shining down and the school break starting, you would expect children to be out playing in their community and adults taking a nice walk in the outdoors.

But this isn't possible in one Swansea Valley street, claim residents, because of a big messy problem caused by sheep.

People living on Bryn Road, Cwmllynfell, are being blighted by the animals, who are travelling down from the mountain and on to their road to do their business.

David Lloyd said calls had been made for a fence between the mountain and the road — but to no avail.

"We've got a big problem with the sheep coming down from the common and making a terrible mess in front of our houses," he said.

"We've tried to get a fence put up. We are the only street that is not fenced in the whole of the South Wales area.

"We have been campaigning, but we have had nothing yet."

He also raised concerns about the amount of children living in the area.

"They can't come out to play because there is such a mess outside their houses."

Mr Lloyd added that the issue was also causing problems for his neighbours.

"My neighbour is disabled and her husband is her full-time carer," he added. "Every day four carers come to the house, she's wheelchair bound and he can't even take her out for a walk in the chair.

"She's also asthmatic, but they can't open the windows for fresh air because of the smell of the mess and she lives downstairs."

And he added when the community car came to pick his neighbours up for hospital appointments, it also caused problems and left a mess all over the wheelchair.

"The animals don't know what they are doing though," he said.

He said a council lorry came up to the road once a week to clean it — but that the road needed cleaning on a daily basis.

"I have asked for the council to get health and safety up here," he added.

Neath Port Talbot Council was asked to comment on the issue, but did not send an official statement at the time of going to press.

However, a spokesman said the mountain was common land and the authority needed the permission of the Welsh Government to erect a fence.

Rachel Moses-Lloyd / rachel.moses@swwmedia.co.uk / @racheljanemoses

Police are hunting a man who reportedly attempted to grab an 11-year-old girl in Merthyr Tydfil.

The child was playing near a climbing frame in Cyfarthfa Park when the man tried to grab her clothing.

The girl ran to her friends, unhurt but shocked. The man ran away, into nearby forestry.

He is described as being of an average build, around 5ft 10in, and between 30 and 40 years old. He had dark, shoulder length hair and what has been described as a mole on the side of his nose.

"It is understandable that the community is alarmed – this incident causes us concern and we are taking it very seriously," Inspector John Diffey said. "However, we are urging people to remain calm while we investigate what happened. Parents should be alert to the situation."

"At this stage, we are treating the incident as an assault."

THOUSANDS of children born in Neath Port Talbot Hospital have been invited to celebrate the centre's 10th anniversary.

Invitations to the fun day have been delivered to everyone who had their baby or postnatal care in the birth centre since it opened 10 years ago.

Among those attending the celebrations on August 2 are sisters Kirstie, Zoe and Stacey Morgan, from Clyne in the Neath Valley, who each chose the centre to have their first babies. All three praised the centre for providing a relaxed home-from-home environment that respected their privacy.

Kirstie said: "The centre has a lovely team of staff providing care that focussed on our individual needs and choices."

Zoe said they chose the centre to have their babies because they had heard good things about it.

She added: "We trusted our needs would be met by the midwifery staff at the birth centre and wouldn't choose to go anywhere else."

A formal gathering with invited guests will then take place on Monday, August 4, the anniversary date, when 100 balloons will be released. There will be speeches by ABMU health board chairman Andrew Davies, senior midwife Jill Johnson, head of midwifery Cathy Dowling and Royal College of Midwives general secretary Cathy Warwick.

Midwife Dawn Dilks said: "There will be lots of fun activities in the atrium, with party food and games, a dance competition and hopefully a bouncy castle. So far around 50 mums have replied to say they will be joining us but we would like to hear from more."

By the time the anniversary comes around, just under 4,000 babies will have been born at the hospital.

Ms Dilks added: "They are not all from Neath Port Talbot, they come from across the area and on some occasions we have had mums from further afield. They are all welcome. All we ask is for them to contact us in advance so we have some idea of the numbers."

To attend call 01639 862117 or email dawn.dilks@wales.nhs.uk

Gower has just been named one of Wales's top 10 special locations in a new campaign by the National Trust – but as any local knows, the magic and beauty of this little corner of the country is something that cannot be compared. 

So, just in case you need a little reminder of why Gower is such a special place, we've listed some of the reasons why the peninsula will always occupy a place in our hearts. 

1.The best beaches in the world (and that's official too)

2. The sunrises, sunsets and everything in between

3. From fish and chips to gourmet grub, Gower is also home to some of the most delicious food in Wales (even if we do say so ourselves!)

4. For an already interesting land, it has an incredible sense of history

5. Even when it's raining it is still breath-taking

6. Though the paths are well traversed, it's still easy to lose yourself in the landscape

7. From shaded woods to open fields, the countryside always offers something new to explore

8. In fact, it is so diverse it can even pass for an alien planet

9. And at the end of the day, it's not too far from home

Online voting for the National Trust Special Places campaign is open until August 3. 

Ruth Dawson / ruth.dawson@swwmedia.co.uk / @Ruth_Dawson

Steven Moffat has said that director of The Hobbit and King Kong, Peter Jackson, "will probably" get behind the camera for Doctor Who "at some point".

In an interview with SFX magazine, Moffat said that Jackson was still "incredibly busy" with The Hobbit but that the pair had discussed him directing an episode.

"I've spoken to him face to face, and he would like to do one. He accepts that there's no money and that there's no time, and it would have to be when he's available - and I don't think he's even been available enough to answer our emails of late!" Moffat said.

"I think it will probably happen at some point. I mean, he can do what the hell he likes - he owns New Zealand! I think he's sincere in his Doctor Who fandom, to say the least. He's a nice guy, he quite often drops me a line after a show goes out.

"He's into it - it's just, 'Can you make it work?' I think he would also like us to go and make it in New Zealand! And I'm like 'OK... I'd rather we just flew you to Cardiff!"

Jackson has said that he would "love to try my hand at television," and would be "very happy" to work on Doctor Who.

Ruth Dawson / ruth.dawson@swwmedia.co.uk / @Ruth_Dawson

A GROUP of youngsters turned their street into a mini-market to raise money for a Swansea-based cancer centre.

The kind hearted kids from Cadoxton put their unwanted toys and other items from around their houses on sale to support Maggie's.

They took an amazing £290 in just one day at the stall set-up at the entrance of Maes Llwynonn.

The young fundraisers, mainly from Catwg and Cilfrew Primary Schools, came up with the idea themselves.

Yvonne De Lloyd, whose son Scott was among the group who worked on the stall, said: "They have been absolutely remarkable, and residents have been very supportive. It's for a very good cause."

The youngsters began planning the day beforehand, creating posters which they put up around Cadoxton to advertise the event. Local residents brought them food and ice-cream, while supporting the cause by spending on the array of ornaments, jewellery and toys on offer.

Pupils from Catwg Primary School then added to the total donation by selling "school grown" potatoes on the last day of term, bringing the total raised to £312.

The children are planning a visit to Maggie's Cancer Centre to hand over a cheque and learn how the money they raised will be used to help.

Mrs De Lloyd added: "They are very keen to do something again, maybe next year. They loved it, they are little campaigners."

TALENTED young computer programmers and hackers in Swansea are being encouraged to test their skills in a nationwide contest.

The week-long Festival of Code, which runs throughout the UK from July 28, involves people aged under 19 being presented with topical problems to solve.

TechHub in Swansea's Wind Street is one of the venues.

Last year's festival resulted in the design of a platform for outing internet "trolls" and a website enabling town councils, businesses and residents to take advantage of empty shops, among others. Troll is a term to describe people who use the internet to abuse others.

This time round, participants will have access to a slew of real-life data from the Met Office, which uses powerful super-computers.

Festival organisers, not-for- profit Young Rewired State, is urging young people to get involved. It also wants older programmers and hackers to sign up as mentors

A spokeswoman said: "For the majority, technology has become a necessity in everyday life and this has resulted in a need for a workforce with the ability to code.

"Coding is needed to create software that provides us with our iPhones, computers, apps, games and much more."

Beverley Wilson-Smith, host centre coordinator in Swansea, added: "We're delighted to be opening the doors of TechHub in Swansea this summer and host the Festival of Code this year. This really is a fantastic event, and an invaluable one in giving the next generation a voice and helping to harness their skills for the future."